Mission Trip Highlights Summer of Love

Jaeden Sistrunk '27, M'28 knew her plan for the summer after her sophomore year. Take a leadership position at the summer camp where she grew up and had worked the past few seasons.

However, in January, Sistrunk was compelled to alter those plans and embark on a new adventure.

"I felt that I was being called to something new for personal growth and to experience the world in a different way," said Sistrunk, a Speech-Language Pathology major.

Sistrunk spent the next few weeks researching groups that organized international mission trips. Through Pioneers, she completed a two-month mission in Ghana. Sistrunk experienced a warm and welcoming culture, and her group often served in schools.

"Truly getting to know these kids was amazing, and even if they didn't understand what we were saying about the Bible, they felt comfortable and they trusted us," said Sistrunk. "I did leave a piece of my heart over there, but I'm still called to serve here for now."

On campus, Sistrunk serves as a student leader with DiscipleMakers, a statewide Christian campus ministry with 25 campus locations. She has seen the group double in size since her first year.

"The start of the semester is my favorite time of year with the Welcome Back Social and Student Engagement Fair, with getting new students plugged in and showing them the bonds we created," she said. "We are really focused on branching out and reaching other people in our LVC community and inviting them in if they so choose."

Sistrunk's service to others began before arriving at LVC. She coached cheerleading for youth and adults with special needs through Miracle League of the Lehigh Valley. This is also where she developed her interest in Speech-Language Pathology.

"I had always thought general special education," said Sistrunk. "Then there was a girl on my cheer team who was completely nonverbal, and seeing her progress from saying nothing, not making any sounds, to humming along with the chants was really encouraging and pulled me into speech."

Reflecting on her summer mission trip, Sistrunk recalls having occasional moments of worrying about falling behind her peers academically or financially, but now has a new perspective.

"It was a summer of sacrifice, which is true, but as I came out of those little pits, I reminded myself that love is sacrifice," said Sistrunk. "Instead of saying, 'It was a summer of sacrifice,' I turned it and said, 'It was a summer of love, and of loving other people,' and it ended up being a summer that I loved."